Four St. Louis County council members have filed a lawsuit against the county executive and other officials.

The lawsuit is another chapter in the on-going battle over the county auditor.

News 4 Investigates reported on over Auditor Mark Tucker, appointed by four members of the council earlier this year.

Now the same four have filed suit against St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, claiming he and county staff are blocking them from hiring more people in the auditor's office.

“The duties to be performed by the county auditor are too expansive to be accomplished by the county auditor acting alone; it is necessary that he have the assistance of qualified, full time employees,” the lawsuit states.

"The County Executive has tried to prevent the County Council from hiring an audit staff, " said Council Chair Dr. Sam Page, in a statement. "The County Executive's interference in the audit process should be a red flag to taxpayers," he wrote.

On Monday, Stenger responded in the statement that the lawsuit is a waste of taxpayer money, saying "the suit is asking the public to pay for another full time employment the county doesn't need merely to cover up for Tucker's incompetence."

Scott Heatherly, 50, of Arnold, is charged with second-degree assault and first and second-degree property damage. Arnold Police say the charges stem from an assault which appears to have been brought on by road rage Friday night and was caught on surveillance camera.

Scott Heatherly, 50, of Arnold, is charged with second-degree assault and first and second-degree property damage. Arnold Police say the charges stem from an assault which appears to have been brought on by road rage Friday night and was caught on surveillance camera.